Export your learner materials as an interactive game, a webpage, or FAQ style cheatsheet.
Unsaved Work Found!
It looks like you have unsaved work from a previous session. Would you like to restore it?
Total Categories: 6
Is the primary objective of a sample-return mission solely to analyze extraterrestrial materials using only onboard spacecraft instruments?
Answer: False
False. The principal aim of sample-return missions is to collect extraterrestrial materials and transport them to Earth for comprehensive analysis, leveraging advanced terrestrial laboratory capabilities rather than being limited to instruments aboard the spacecraft.
Sample-return missions have successfully brought back materials from celestial bodies including the Moon, asteroids, and comets.
Answer: True
True. Missions have successfully retrieved samples from the Moon, various asteroids (such as Itokawa, Ryugu, and Bennu), and comets (like Wild 2), alongside solar wind particles.
Lunar meteorites found on Earth are considered evidence of sample-return missions, not natural processes.
Answer: False
False. Lunar meteorites found on Earth are natural samples ejected from the Moon by impacts, not products of artificial sample-return missions. They provide valuable scientific data without the need for direct sample retrieval missions.
Analyzing extraterrestrial samples in Earth-based laboratories is considered less advantageous than using instruments on spacecraft due to limitations in equipment.
Answer: False
False. Earth-based laboratories offer significantly greater advantages for sample analysis due to their advanced, diverse, and extensive instrumentation, which far surpasses the capabilities that can be feasibly deployed on spacecraft.
Sample return missions can aid in understanding Solar System formation by allowing scientists to correlate returned sample data with remote sensing data.
Answer: True
True. By enabling direct analysis of returned samples and correlating this data with remote sensing observations, scientists can gain deeper insights into the formation processes and geological histories of celestial bodies and the Solar System as a whole.
A key focus of sample-return missions is the search for extraterrestrial life, specifically investigating if life originated in space and was transported to Earth.
Answer: True
True. A significant objective of many sample-return missions is to search for evidence of past or present life, or the prebiotic chemical precursors to life, on other celestial bodies, and to investigate theories such as panspermia.
What is the fundamental purpose of a sample-return mission in space exploration?
Answer: To collect materials from an extraterrestrial location and transport them back to Earth for detailed analysis.
The primary objective of a sample-return mission is to travel to an extraterrestrial location, collect samples, and bring them back to Earth for comprehensive analysis in terrestrial laboratories, which possess superior analytical capabilities.
Based on the provided information, which celestial body has not yet been the subject of a successful sample-return mission delivering materials to Earth?
Answer: Mars
Mars. While numerous missions have targeted Mars for sample return, and significant progress has been made, the successful return of Martian samples to Earth has not yet been achieved, unlike missions that have returned materials from the Moon, various asteroids, and comets.
Besides dedicated sample-return missions, how else have samples from non-terrestrial bodies reached Earth?
Answer: Via meteorites originating naturally from bodies like the Moon and Mars.
Natural processes, such as asteroid impacts ejecting material from celestial bodies, have resulted in meteorites from the Moon, Mars, and asteroids reaching Earth, providing samples without the need for direct retrieval missions.
Why are Earth-based laboratories considered superior for analyzing extraterrestrial samples compared to instruments on spacecraft?
Answer: Earth labs possess more advanced and diverse tools, enabling more thorough and cross-referenced analysis.
Terrestrial laboratories are equipped with a far greater range and sophistication of analytical instruments than can be feasibly transported into space. This allows for more comprehensive, detailed, and cross-validated studies of returned extraterrestrial samples.
How do sample return missions contribute to understanding the Solar System's formation?
Answer: By allowing direct comparison of returned samples with remote sensing data gathered by spacecraft.
Sample return missions facilitate the understanding of Solar System formation by enabling scientists to correlate the detailed chemical and isotopic composition of returned materials with remote sensing data, thereby reconstructing geological and evolutionary histories.
What is a primary focus of sample-return missions concerning the origins of life?
Answer: To search for the building blocks of life on celestial bodies and investigate panspermia.
A key objective is to identify organic molecules and other precursors to life in extraterrestrial samples, thereby investigating the potential for life's origins beyond Earth and exploring theories like panspermia, which posits the transfer of life or its components between celestial bodies.
The Apollo 11 mission was the first to successfully return samples from the Moon, bringing back lunar surface material.
Answer: True
True. The Apollo 11 mission, in July 1969, achieved the historic feat of returning the first lunar surface material to Earth, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
The Apollo program collectively returned less than 100 kilograms of lunar material to Earth.
Answer: False
False. The Apollo program successfully returned over 382 kilograms of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, dust, and soil from multiple missions, far exceeding 100 kilograms.
The Apollo 12 mission returned parts of the Surveyor 3 probe in addition to lunar material.
Answer: True
True. Alongside approximately 34 kilograms of lunar samples, the Apollo 12 astronauts retrieved components of the Surveyor 3 probe, which had landed on the Moon years earlier, to study the effects of long-term lunar surface exposure.
Soviet Luna missions returned significantly larger masses of lunar samples compared to the Apollo missions.
Answer: False
False. While the Soviet Luna missions were successful robotic sample returns, they recovered significantly smaller masses of lunar material (e.g., Luna 24 returned 170 grams) compared to the hundreds of kilograms brought back by the crewed Apollo missions.
All Soviet Luna sample-return missions were successful in bringing samples back to Earth.
Answer: False
False. Several Soviet Luna missions, including Luna 15, Luna 18, and Luna 23, encountered failures during launch, landing, or sample collection, preventing the successful return of samples.
China's Chang'e 6 mission was significant for collecting samples from the near side of the Moon.
Answer: False
False. The Chang'e 6 mission was significant for collecting the first-ever samples from the far side of the Moon, specifically from the South Pole-Aitken basin.
The Chang'e 5 mission returned approximately 1.7 kilograms of lunar soil, while Chang'e 6 returned about 1.9 kilograms from the far side.
Answer: True
True. China's Chang'e 5 mission successfully returned approximately 1.7 kilograms of lunar regolith, and the subsequent Chang'e 6 mission retrieved about 1.9 kilograms from the Moon's far side.
India's planned lunar sample-return mission is named Chandrayaan-4 and is scheduled for 2028.
Answer: True
True. India's space agency has announced plans for a lunar sample-return mission designated Chandrayaan-4, with a projected launch year of 2028.
The Soviet Luna program's landers and China's Chang'e lunar landers are cited as successful robotic sample-return missions involving landings.
Answer: True
True. The Soviet Luna landers and China's Chang'e lunar landers are recognized as the primary examples of successful robotic sample-return missions that involved landing on extraterrestrial bodies.
Apollo 15 returned 77 kg of lunar material, while Apollo 17 returned the most at 111 kg.
Answer: True
True. The Apollo 15 mission collected approximately 77 kilograms of lunar samples, while the Apollo 17 mission, the final lunar landing, returned the largest quantity at 111 kilograms.
Apollo 13 is considered a success for sample return because it managed to collect some lunar samples despite the emergency.
Answer: False
False. The Apollo 13 mission is classified as a failure for sample return because an in-flight emergency prevented the crew from landing on the Moon, thus no lunar samples were collected or returned.
Both Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6 missions were successful, returning lunar samples from different parts of the Moon.
Answer: True
True. Both the Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6 missions were successful, with Chang'e 5 returning samples from the lunar near side and Chang'e 6 retrieving samples from the lunar far side.
The Apollo 13 mission successfully returned lunar samples despite its in-flight emergency.
Answer: False
False. The Apollo 13 mission experienced a critical in-flight emergency that prevented its lunar landing, and consequently, no lunar samples were collected or returned.
Luna 24 successfully returned the largest amount of lunar samples among the Soviet Luna missions, bringing back 170 grams.
Answer: True
True. Luna 24, the final successful Soviet sample-return mission, brought back 170 grams of lunar soil, representing the largest sample mass recovered by any of the Soviet Luna missions.
The Chang'e 6 mission collected the first-ever samples from the near side of the Moon.
Answer: False
False. The Chang'e 6 mission collected the first-ever samples from the far side of the Moon. Previous missions, including Chang'e 5, collected samples from the near side.
Which mission achieved the first successful sample return from another Solar System body?
Answer: Apollo 11
The Apollo 11 mission, in July 1969, successfully returned the first samples from another Solar System body, specifically lunar surface material.
What significant quantity of lunar material was returned by the entire Apollo program?
Answer: Over 382 kilograms
Across all its missions, the Apollo program successfully returned a total of over 382 kilograms of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, and dust to Earth.
Besides lunar rocks and soil, what else did the Apollo 12 mission return to Earth?
Answer: Parts from the earlier Surveyor 3 probe.
In addition to approximately 34 kilograms of lunar material, the Apollo 12 astronauts retrieved components from the Surveyor 3 probe, which had landed on the Moon previously, for scientific examination.
How did the Soviet Luna sample-return missions primarily differ from the Apollo missions?
Answer: They were entirely robotic and autonomous.
The Soviet Luna missions were notable for being entirely robotic and autonomous, achieving sample return without human intervention, whereas the Apollo missions were crewed expeditions.
Which of the following Soviet Luna missions was NOT successful in its sample-return objective due to crashing on the Moon?
Answer: Luna 15
The Luna 15 mission, while attempting a sample return, crashed onto the lunar surface and failed to achieve its objective. Luna 16, 20, and 24 were successful.
What was significant about China's Chang'e 6 mission in lunar exploration?
Answer: It collected the first-ever samples from the far side of the Moon.
The Chang'e 6 mission achieved a historic milestone by successfully collecting and returning samples from the far side of the Moon, specifically from the South Pole-Aitken basin.
Which Apollo mission is classified as a failure for sample return because it could not land on the Moon?
Answer: Apollo 13
The Apollo 13 mission is designated as a failure for sample return because an critical in-flight emergency prevented the crew from executing their planned lunar landing, thus no samples were collected.
According to the source, which missions are cited as the only successful robotic sample-return missions involving landings on extraterrestrial bodies?
Answer: Soviet Luna program landers and China's Chang'e landers
The source identifies the Soviet Luna program's landers and China's Chang'e lunar landers as the sole successful robotic sample-return missions that involved landing on extraterrestrial bodies. Other missions targeting low-gravity bodies like asteroids may have collected samples without a traditional landing.
What quantity of lunar regolith did China's Chang'e 6 mission return from the Moon's far side?
Answer: About 1.9 kilograms
The Chang'e 6 mission successfully returned approximately 1.9 kilograms of lunar regolith from the far side of the Moon.
Which Apollo mission returned the largest amount of lunar material?
Answer: Apollo 17
The Apollo 17 mission returned the largest quantity of lunar material, collecting approximately 111 kilograms of samples from the Moon.
Was aerogel selected for the Stardust mission primarily due to its high density, which was deemed ideal for capturing high-velocity comet dust without altering its composition?
Answer: False
False. Aerogel was chosen for the Stardust mission not because of its high density, but precisely because of its extremely low density and porous structure. This allowed delicate comet dust particles, traveling at high speeds, to embed themselves gently within the aerogel matrix without vaporizing or significantly altering their chemical integrity.
The Japanese Hayabusa probe successfully retrieved substantial amounts of dust from asteroid 25143 Itokawa.
Answer: False
False. While the Hayabusa probe attempted to collect samples from asteroid 25143 Itokawa, a malfunction in the sampling mechanism resulted in only micrograms of dust being retrieved, rather than substantial amounts.
The Hayabusa2 probe successfully collected and returned samples from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu.
Answer: True
True. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa2 mission successfully collected samples from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu and returned approximately 5.4 grams of material to Earth in December 2020.
The OSIRIS-REx mission's samples from asteroid Bennu are expected to provide insights into the early Solar System and the origins of organic compounds.
Answer: True
True. The samples returned by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission from asteroid Bennu are anticipated to yield crucial data regarding the early Solar System's evolution and the formation of organic molecules essential for the emergence of life.
Initial examinations of the OSIRIS-REx samples revealed only common terrestrial dust.
Answer: False
False. Initial examinations of the OSIRIS-REx samples revealed complex materials, including organic molecules and unidentified substances, indicating a composition far richer than common terrestrial dust.
China's Tianwen-2 mission is planned to collect samples from the asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa.
Answer: True
True. China's Tianwen-2 mission, launched in May 2025, is designed to collect and return samples from the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa.
Aerogel's high density makes it suitable for capturing delicate space particles without damage.
Answer: False
False. Aerogel's suitability for capturing delicate space particles stems from its extremely low density and porous structure, which allows high-speed particles to embed gently without vaporization or significant alteration.
The Stardust mission successfully collected dust from Comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust.
Answer: True
True. The Stardust mission achieved its objectives by collecting dust particles from Comet Wild 2 and also captured interstellar dust during its journey, returning both types of samples to Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx mission returned 121.6 grams of material from asteroid Bennu, exceeding its initial goal.
Answer: True
True. The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned 121.6 grams of material from asteroid Bennu, surpassing the mission's initial target quantity.
The Hayabusa2 mission was successful and returned approximately 5.4 grams of samples from asteroid 162173 Ryugu.
Answer: True
True. The Hayabusa2 mission successfully collected and returned about 5.4 grams of material from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu, marking a significant achievement in asteroid sample return.
The Stardust mission collected solar wind samples using aerogel.
Answer: False
False. The Stardust mission utilized aerogel to collect dust particles from Comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust. Solar wind samples were collected by missions like Genesis using different collector materials.
The OSIRIS-REx mission returned less than 100 grams of material from asteroid Bennu.
Answer: False
False. The OSIRIS-REx mission returned 121.6 grams of material from asteroid Bennu, which significantly exceeded the mission's initial goal.
China's Tianwen-2 mission, launched in May 2025, targets asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa for sample return.
Answer: True
True. China's Tianwen-2 mission, launched in May 2025, is tasked with collecting and returning samples from the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa.
NASA faced difficulties opening the OSIRIS-REx sample container due to stubborn fasteners.
Answer: True
True. NASA scientists encountered challenges in accessing the samples returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission due to stubborn fasteners on the sample container, requiring specialized tools and procedures to open.
Why was aerogel particularly suitable for the Stardust mission's collection of comet dust?
Answer: Its extremely low density allowed delicate particles to embed without vaporization.
Aerogel's extremely low density and porous structure enabled the Stardust mission to capture high-velocity comet dust particles gently, allowing them to embed within the material without vaporizing or undergoing significant chemical alteration.
What was the outcome of the Japanese Hayabusa probe's attempt to retrieve samples from asteroid 25143 Itokawa?
Answer: It retrieved micrograms of dust, despite a sampling device failure.
Despite a sampling device malfunction, the Hayabusa probe successfully retrieved micrograms of dust from asteroid 25143 Itokawa, marking the first time such asteroid material was returned to Earth in a relatively pristine state.
Which of the following JAXA missions successfully collected samples from asteroid 162173 Ryugu?
Answer: Hayabusa2
The Hayabusa2 mission, developed by JAXA, successfully collected samples from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu and returned them to Earth.
What are scientists hoping to learn from the samples returned by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission from asteroid Bennu?
Answer: The processes of planet formation and the origins of organic compounds.
The samples from asteroid Bennu are expected to provide critical insights into the early Solar System's evolution, the mechanisms of planet formation, and the origins of organic compounds that may have contributed to the development of life.
What type of material did the Stardust mission collect using its aerogel collector?
Answer: Dust particles from Comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust
The Stardust mission employed an aerogel collector to gather dust particles originating from Comet Wild 2, as well as interstellar dust particles encountered during its journey.
The OSIRIS-REx mission returned a total of 121.6 grams of material from asteroid Bennu. How did this compare to the mission's goal?
Answer: It exceeded the goal by more than double.
The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned 121.6 grams of material from asteroid Bennu, which was more than double the mission's initial target quantity.
What is the objective of China's Tianwen-2 mission, launched in May 2025?
Answer: To collect and return samples from the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa.
China's Tianwen-2 mission, launched in May 2025, is designed to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa and return them to Earth for analysis.
What specific challenge did NASA face in accessing the samples returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission?
Answer: The sample container was difficult to open due to stubborn fasteners.
NASA scientists encountered significant difficulty in opening the sample container returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission due to the presence of stubborn fasteners, necessitating the development of specialized tools and procedures.
The Orbital Debris Collection (ODC) experiment on Mir captured interplanetary dust and man-made debris using aerogel.
Answer: True
True. The ODC experiment, deployed on the Mir space station, utilized aerogel collectors to capture particles from low Earth orbit, including both interplanetary dust and orbital debris.
The Genesis spacecraft collected solar wind samples using collector arrays made of silicon, gold, sapphire, and diamond.
Answer: True
True. The Genesis mission employed collector arrays composed of ultra-pure wafers of silicon, gold, sapphire, and diamond, each designed to capture specific elemental and isotopic components of the solar wind.
A 'collector array' in sample-return missions is primarily used for navigating the spacecraft.
Answer: False
False. A collector array is specifically designed to gather particles, such as atoms, molecules, or dust, from space. Its function is sample acquisition, not spacecraft navigation.
The Genesis collector array used silicon, gold, sapphire, and diamond wafers to collect different components of the solar wind.
Answer: True
True. The Genesis mission's collector array comprised wafers of silicon, gold, sapphire, and diamond, each optimized for capturing distinct elemental and isotopic compositions present in the solar wind.
The Genesis mission is classified as a complete success, with all samples perfectly recovered after a safe landing.
Answer: False
False. While the Genesis mission successfully collected solar wind samples, its return was marred by a parachute failure, resulting in a crash landing. Although many samples were salvaged, it was not a perfectly recovered mission.
The Genesis mission collected samples of the solar wind, which are charged particles emitted by the Sun.
Answer: True
True. The Genesis spacecraft was specifically designed to collect samples of the solar wind, a stream of charged particles continuously flowing outward from the Sun.
What material was used by the Orbital Debris Collection (ODC) experiment on the Mir space station to capture particles?
Answer: Aerogel
The Orbital Debris Collection (ODC) experiment utilized aerogel, a material with extremely low density, to capture particles from low Earth orbit, including interplanetary dust and man-made debris.
What critical technical malfunction compromised the recovery of NASA's Genesis mission capsule during its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere?
Answer: The parachute failed to deploy, leading to a crash landing.
The Genesis capsule's re-entry was compromised by the failure of its parachute deployment system, resulting in a high-velocity impact in the Utah desert. Despite this, many of the collected solar wind samples were subsequently recovered.
The Genesis spacecraft's collector array was composed of wafers made from which materials?
Answer: Silicon, gold, sapphire, and diamond
The Genesis collector array consisted of ultra-pure wafers of silicon, gold, sapphire, and diamond, each specifically chosen for its ability to capture different elemental and isotopic components of the solar wind.
What was the primary purpose of the collector array used by the Genesis spacecraft?
Answer: To collect atoms and molecules from the solar wind.
The Genesis spacecraft's collector array was designed to gather samples of the solar wind, comprising charged particles emitted by the Sun, for subsequent analysis on Earth.
Mars is considered a less important target for sample-return missions compared to Venus due to its distance and lack of potential habitability.
Answer: False
False. Mars is considered a high-priority target for sample-return missions due to its potential for past or present habitability and its relative proximity compared to Venus. Its geological history and potential for life make it a crucial focus for scientific investigation.
Mars sample-return missions are classified as Category V by COSPAR, requiring strict containment of returned samples.
Answer: True
True. Missions returning samples from locations like Mars, which may harbor life, are classified as Category V by COSPAR, necessitating stringent containment procedures for the returned samples to prevent potential biological contamination of Earth.
Russia's Fobos-Grunt mission successfully returned samples from Phobos before crashing into the Pacific Ocean.
Answer: False
False. Russia's Fobos-Grunt mission, intended to return samples from Phobos, failed shortly after launch and was unable to leave Earth orbit, eventually crashing into the Pacific Ocean without achieving its primary objectives.
China's Mars sample-return mission is targeted for completion by 2030.
Answer: True
True. China has outlined plans for a Mars sample-return mission, with a projected completion timeline aiming for sample return by 2030.
The MMX mission, developed by JAXA, is targeting Phobos for sample return and is scheduled to launch in 2026.
Answer: True
True. The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, led by JAXA, is scheduled for a 2026 launch and aims to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars's moons, for return to Earth.
The sample propulsion module from the MMX mission is expected to return to Earth in 2031.
Answer: True
True. Following its sample collection activities on Phobos, the MMX mission's sample return module is projected to reach Earth in 2031.
The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission aims to bring Martian samples back to Earth around 2033.
Answer: True
True. The collaborative NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission is currently planned with a target return date for Martian samples around the year 2033.
The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission has faced budget surpluses and funding stability, leading to expansion plans.
Answer: False
False. The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission has encountered significant challenges, including budget constraints and funding instability, which have led to reviews and potential adjustments in its scope and participation.
China's Tianwen-3 mission is a planned Mars sample-return mission projected for sample return in 2031.
Answer: True
True. China's Tianwen-3 mission is designated as a Mars sample-return endeavor, with the objective of returning Martian samples to Earth around the year 2031.
Japan's MMX mission is planned to launch in 2026 and targets Saturn's moon Titan for sample return.
Answer: False
False. Japan's MMX mission, scheduled for launch in 2026, targets Phobos, one of Mars's moons, for sample return, not Saturn's moon Titan.
The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission is projected to return samples from Mars around the year 2033.
Answer: True
True. The collaborative NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission is planned to achieve sample return from Mars approximately by the year 2033.
Which of the following is considered a particularly important target in the search for extraterrestrial life due to its proximity and potential past habitability?
Answer: Mars
Mars is a prime target due to its relative accessibility and evidence suggesting past conditions potentially suitable for life. Its ongoing exploration for signs of life, past or present, makes it a critical focus for sample-return initiatives.
Under COSPAR classification, what is the designation for sample-return missions from locations like Mars that might harbor life, and what is the key requirement?
Answer: Category V; Strict containment of unsterilized samples returned to Earth.
Sample-return missions from locations such as Mars, which possess the potential for extant life, are classified as Category V by COSPAR. This classification mandates rigorous containment procedures for returned samples to safeguard Earth's biosphere.
What happened to Russia's Fobos-Grunt mission after its launch?
Answer: It failed shortly after launch and could not leave Earth orbit, eventually crashing.
The Fobos-Grunt mission experienced a critical failure shortly after launch, preventing it from escaping Earth's orbit. It eventually re-entered the atmosphere and crashed into the Pacific Ocean, failing to achieve its sample-return objectives.
Which of the following missions is planned to target Phobos, one of Mars's moons, for sample return?
Answer: Japan's MMX mission
Japan's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is specifically designed to target Phobos, one of Mars's moons, for sample collection and return to Earth.
What is the projected return year for samples from the NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission?
Answer: 2033
The collaborative NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission is currently projected to achieve sample return from Mars around the year 2033.
What challenges have recently impacted the NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission?
Answer: Budget shortages and funding issues, leading to scaled-back participation.
The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission has faced significant budgetary challenges and funding instability, prompting reviews and potential adjustments to the mission's architecture and the level of participation from involved agencies.
A significant concern regarding sample-return missions is the potential for biological contamination of Earth's biosphere by extraterrestrial life forms.
Answer: True
True. The potential for backward contamination, where extraterrestrial biological agents could pose a risk to Earth's biosphere, is a primary concern addressed by planetary protection protocols.
Planetary protection protocols primarily aim to protect Earth's biosphere from potential extraterrestrial biological agents during sample-return missions.
Answer: True
True. While planetary protection encompasses protecting both the target body from Earth contamination and Earth from extraterrestrial contamination, a primary focus for sample-return missions is safeguarding Earth's biosphere from potential hazards posed by returned extraterrestrial materials.
Carl Sagan and Joshua Lederberg expressed concerns about the potential risks of backward contamination to Earth's biosphere from sample-return missions in the 1970s.
Answer: True
True. Prominent scientists like Carl Sagan and Joshua Lederberg were early advocates for caution regarding sample-return missions, highlighting the potential risks of backward contamination to Earth's biosphere, particularly from missions targeting potentially life-bearing worlds.
Robotic sample-return missions requiring landing on low-gravity bodies are technically straightforward and inexpensive.
Answer: False
False. Robotic sample-return missions, particularly those involving landings on low-gravity celestial bodies like asteroids or moons, are exceptionally complex, time-consuming, and costly endeavors, demanding meticulous planning and execution.
What is the primary risk associated with bringing extraterrestrial samples back to Earth?
Answer: Potential biological contamination of Earth's biosphere by unknown extraterrestrial life forms.
The primary risk is potential backward contamination, where extraterrestrial biological agents, if present, could pose a threat to Earth's biosphere. This necessitates stringent planetary protection protocols.
What is the dual purpose of planetary protection in sample-return missions?
Answer: To protect the target celestial body from Earth microbes and protect Earth's biosphere from extraterrestrial agents.
Planetary protection mandates a two-way approach: preventing the forward contamination of extraterrestrial environments with terrestrial life, and preventing the backward contamination of Earth's biosphere with potentially hazardous extraterrestrial life or biological agents.